Harbison v



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. V. APPLEY.

ELEVATOR 0R HOIST FIRE ESCAPE.

lllllllt v Uv i Patented Apr. 15. 1890.

llVVfI/TOR ms NDRRIS PEYEIIS co., mmo-uwm, wAsNINGToN, o. c.

2 Sheets-+Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. V. APPLEY. ELEVATOR 0R HOIST FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Apr. 15, 1890;

lNl/E/l/TOR.

Mil/X ATTORNEY.

we hams Finns cu. mom-mum, yusumnmu, n. c.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRISON V. APPLEY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

ELEVATOR OR HOIST FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,924, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed January 13, 1890- Serial No. 336,829. (No model.)

To all whom, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, HARRISON V. APPLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevators or Hoist Fire- Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in portable elevators or hoist fire-escapes, and its objects are,first, to provide an elevator or hoist fire-escape that can be readily attached to any available support for ascending to or descending from an elevation; second, to provide a portable elevator or hoist fire-escape with which an operator can perfectly control his descent from an elevation; third, to provide an elevator or hoist fire-escape with which an individual can ascend to an. elevated position without aid from outside forces, and, fourth, to provide a'portable elevator or hoist fire-escape that may be easily moved from place to place. I attain these results by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device and a portion of an arm for supporting it. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device, showing the relative position of its several parts their support.

and a swivel attachment for supporting it. Fig. 3 is an. elevation of one side of the elevator divided between the rims O O of the spools for the purpose of showing the form and the manner of applying the pawls, the brakes, and the brake-lever. Fig. t is a sectional end View of the stirrup-frame, showing the manner of attaching the cross piece or brace and the slide. Fig. 5 is a plan of the top of the elevator, showing the manner of applying the spring, the brakes, and the pawls. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the pawls, their support, and a spring for holding the pawl-lever in position. Fig.7 is a plan of the pawls and Fig. 8 is an elevation of my device suspended from a beam. Fig. 9 is 'a plan of a hooked arm used to attach my elevator either to a vertical post or to a horizontal support, and Fig. 10 is a plan of the sameattached to a vertical support.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

' into the spools.

A is the frame that supports the working portions of my elevator.

A A are hinges formed upon the back of the frame, by means of which it is attached to its support.

A is an arm for supporting the frame of the elevator.

B B are the spools for storing the ropes.

C O are the inner rims of the spools.

D D are ropes.

D is the brake-cord.

D D is stirrup-frame.

E is a spring for drawing the ropes D D up E is the shaft that supports the spools and the springs.

F is the brake-lever.

F F are the brakes.

G G are pawls for controlling the ascent of the operator.

H is a spring for throwing the brake-lever up to place.

H H are springs for throwing the dogs into the ratchet-teeth c on the inner rims of the spools.

I is a beam. r

J is a vertical post for supporting the elevator.

K is an automatic brake, and L L is a spreader or guides for guiding the ropes into the spools and for spreading them as they are unwound. from the spools.

M is a supporting-swivel.

In constructing my elevator I make use of a frame A of a proper size to receive and support the two spools B B. A bolt E passes through the center of the frame for the support of the spools and the springs, and bolts a connect the ends of the arms of the frame. I find it well, when inserting the bolts a at the ends of the arms, to place them in such a position that the rims B O of the spools will run in notches made in their inner surface far enough so that the ropes D cannot by any possibility be thrown out of the spools. At the back end of this frame I form a bend, so that the two sides will come together in the form indicated in Fig. 2 and form a hinge to unite with the supporting-arm A" and form a pivot on the bolt A for the support and adjustment of the frame and spools, the sides of the frame next to the hinges being bolted IOC ' spool having but one chamber for the storage i together. This, in combination with the center bolt E and the bolts or stays a at the ends of the arms, renders the frame solid and firm. I then construct two spools of a proper size and form to contain the amount of rope that it is desired to use upon the elevator. One of these spools I form with a division B a rim B, and an inner rim 0, so as to form two storage-chambers, the one for the recepf tion of the elevator-cord D and the other for the reception of the brake-cord D, the other of the second elevator-rope. The outer rims B are made smooth on their periphery for the purpose of insuring a perfect seatfor the brakes when the ropes are being drawn out of the spools, and the inner rims O are provided upon theirperiphery with a series of ratchet-teeth, arranged to engage with the pawls G to hold the spools from turning,when desired, when there is weight upon the'ropes. The centers of these spools are chambered to receive flat coiled springs E, one ,end of which is attached to the peripheral wall of the chamber, as at c, and the other end to the shaft E, as at c", for the purpose, first, of steadying the motion of the spools when the ropes are descending, and, second, of taking up the slack of the rope and winding it upon the spools when its weight is removedtherefrom.

To control the action of the spools when descending with my elevator, I secure .two eecentrics F F, one at each end of the shaft e, in a proper position, so that when the lever F is drawn down they will be brought to bear solidly upon the periphery of the rims .B'and B" of the spools and act as brakes to regulate the velocity of the party descending, according to the pressure brought-to bear upon them through the lever F, which is operated by a cord, as hereinafter more fully described.

\ For the purpose of enabling the operator to release the brakes and remain suspended and to hold the spools solid when stepping into the stirrups, I' attach a body G to the back end of the lever F, to which I pivot two pawls G G in a proper position to engage with the ratchet-teeth c on the periphery of the inner rim of the spools. The shaft 6, to which these pawls and brakes are attached, passes .through the walls of the frame A, in which it is made to turn freely, and passes through this lever is provided with an opening or slot and issecurely attached to the eccentrics or brakes F and the body that supports the pawls.

To manipulate the pawls and brakes I attach a lover F- solidly to the body G, and passing it through between the spools, terminate it with an upwardly-projecting arm f, at the end of. which I form an offset to bring the lead of the brake-cord in" line with the spool upon which it is stored, and I sometimes provide it with a sheave f, to insurethe free action of the governor-cord. The center of f, arranged to work over the shaft E. To

raise the lever and hold it to position I at tach a spring Hto the body G,the free end of which may be brought to bear upon a projection or shelf --h or any other desired resisting point upon the frame. I carry the opposite end of this spring beyond the body and divide it, and utilize the two ends for throwing the pawls into the teeth 011 the periphery of the rims of the spools. This appliance should be so adjusted that when the lever is thrown up to place the points of the pawls will rest snugly at the bottom of the teeth, and the back ends of the pawls will rest against the end of the body G, with the brakes just clear of the periphery of the outer rims of the spools, and when the lever is drawn down so that the brakes will act. upon the spools the points of the pawls will just clear the points of the teeth on the inner rims. I

sometimes provide springs F, of any desired form, which I place upon the periphery of the spools under the brake eccentrics in such a position that as soon as the lever F is drawn down in the least degree they will begin to act upon the rims to prevent the spools from starting and stopping suddenly when, the pawls are thrown out of the teeth and the brakes take effect. Whenthese springs are used, I can dispense with the use of the spring II, as the action of these springs upon the eccentrics throws them from the rims of the spools and holds the brake-lever up to place.

I use a small cord, cable, or rope D upon each spool, one end of each of which I securely attach to the spool and the other ends I leave free to wind or unwind at pleasure, to which I attach a frame consisting of two rigid rods or arms D D of a proper length, so that a man standingin the stirrups d can, if he desires,'take hold of. .the rods near the top and conveniently support himself. 3 I prefer that these rods be of gas-pipe, and I provide themwith stirrnps at the lower ends to receive the feet,and with a cross bar d, securely attached at each end to a long hollow bearing (1, having inside diameters large enough to allow the rods D D to slide freely through them; or, if desired, one of these bearings: may be attached rigidly to the rod and one left free to slip freely up and down upon the rod D. I place this cross-bar in position where it will not interfere with the free action of the body when ascending. I sometimes place a strap (1 upon this frame ICC in position to support the body of the operator.

To manipulate the lever F, I attach a small cord D to the spool arranged for its reception, and passing it under the rod a" of the frame and through the .endof the lover, I

carry the free end down to the stirrup and secure it within easy reach of the operator.

When my elevator is to be used'as a fixture, I make use of a solid arm A, Fig. 1, which I attach securely to a wall, a post, or

to any other suitable vertical supportin such a position that the frame can be turned upon the hinge A to any desired position; but

when I desire to use it as a portable elevator, or to suspend it from a horizontal support, I construct an adjustable arm composed of two side pieces a a, Figs. 8, 9, and 10, a girt a', and a clamp (F. In constructing this class of arms I make the clamp a so that when drawn snugly around the bolt A 't-he ends will be a proper distance apart to receive the ends of the arms a and allow them to work freely. I place upon one side of each clamp a hook a having a sharp point that may be readily embedded into timber. I then insert the ends of the arms between the ends of the clamps and draw the clamps snugly to place by means of bolts passing through, upon which the arms can be turned or carried over from side to side. Near the outer ends of the arms I pivot a girt or rod a, of a proper length to hold the arms at all times parallel, regardless of the angle they may describe with the bolt'A and bend the outer ends of the arms to any desired form that will be best adapted to clamp them to a vertical support. By this means it will be seen that if it isfound desirable to secure my elevator to a vertical support, as apost, awin- (low-frame, or a wall, all that will be necessary will be to place the outer end of the arm against one side of the support and allow the elevator to drop down until the hooks upon the other end are bedded into the opposite side, when the weight of a person upon the elevator will bed the hooks into both sides of the support so securely that there will be no danger of their displacement.

hen I desire to suspend my elevator from a horizontal support, I hook the outer ends of the arms over the support and let the body hang suspended, though I do not restrict myself to the use of these arms where a horizontal support is to be used. I sometimes find it desirable to make use of a swivel M, which I usually attach to the frame by means of the bolt 6, that supports the brake-lever, as shown in Fig. 2, for attaching to a horizontal support, and any device, even a rope attached to the frame of the elevator and securedto a beam, is sufficient in many instances.

I find the most available form for my frame and brake-lever isto extend but two arms rt to the periphery of the spools and carry the end of the lever out to the position shown in Fig. 8, as when so formed the elevator may be used either horizontally oryertically, and I prefer that the spools turn in opposite directions, as by this arrangement the cords are suspended from opposite sides of the frame and allow of a greater distance between them, thus rendering them less liable to twist when weight is suspended upon them and averting the dangerof their running off of the spools when being drawn up; but when using the spools to turn in opposite directions I find it necessary to make one pawl a hook or draw pawl, as. shown by G in Fig. 6, and the other a direct-acting pawl, as shown at G.

The object of placin g the cross-bar d solidly upon one rod and providing it with a long loose bearing upon the other rod is to allow first one and then the other cord to rise, each independent of the other.

To descend upon my elevator, first secure it to a suitable support, then step into the stirrups (Z and taking hold of the brake-cord D draw upon it until the pawls G are disengaged from the teeth on the periphery of the inner rim, and the brakes are brought to bear upon the edges of the outer rims. Then draw upon the cord sufficiently to force the brakes to bear upon the rims with sufficient pressure to bring the velocity of descent within the absolute control of the operator. In descending, the turning of the spools winds up and increases the tension of the springs E, so that if the weight is removed from the stirrups the springs will turn the spools and wind up the several cords. To ascend, release the brakes and allow the pawls to engage with the teeth, so that with weight upon the stirrups the spools cannot unwind, and if the weight is removed from one stirrup, as incase the operator raises one foot, the elevatorcord will be drawn up by the turning of the spool until weight is again placed upon it, when the pawls G will engage with the teeth on the periphery of the rim and hold the spool from turning, while the other foot is bein g raised and the other cord drawn up by the action of the springs upon the spools, each cord being allowed to rise independent of the other bythe sliding of the rod D" through the long bearing upon the end of the crossbar 01', as above described, thus rendering it possible for the operator to ascend, descend, or remain suspended at any height, as desired.

To assist the brakes in governing the velocity of the descent of the operator and avert the danger of producing a sudden jerk-when the pawls are thrown out of the ratchet-teeth and the brakes first take effect upon therims of the spools, I make a pair of automatic brakes, constructed with a heavy spring K, which is attached solidly to the armsof the frame, and an eccentric K, which is pivoted to the springs K in such a manner that when the pawls are thrown out of the teeth and the spools begin to unwind the eccentric will be .drawn under the spring and press heavily upon the spools and hold themin checkuntil the brakes take effect, and when themotion of the spools is reversed "the eccentrics will be thrown back and the spools left free to be wound up by the tension of the springs. It is not necessary to use these automatic brakes when the springs F are applied to the elevator, as they have the same relative effect upon the spools.

\Vhen I construct the side pieces D of the stirrup-frame of gas-pipe or tubing,'I sometimes attach the cross-bar d solidly to both side pieces, dispense with the rings d, and pass the cords D through the entire'length of the side pieces, and attach them to the stirrups (1 in such a manner that the side pieces will slide freely upon the cords, so that as each cord is drawn up into the spool when working the stirrups alternately for the purpose of ascending, the entire frame will be carried up with each cord, the suspended end or side slipping over the stationary cord.

When I construct my spools to both turn in the same direction, I sometimes attach a spreader L, having diverging side pieces, the upper ends of which are attached to the ele-' vator-frame in position to receive the cords from the spools, and are provided with small sheaves or idlers Z in each arm in such a position that the cords will bear upon them and avoid friction as they are running out from or winding up into the spools. These arms gradually diverge until a sufficient width is attained; at the outer end to prevent the cords from twisting or until the outer ends are the same distance apart that the side pieces of the stirrup-frame are. I also insert idlers or sheaves Z into each outer end of these arms in position to allow the cords to bear upon them and prevent friction when the cords are traveling through the arms. I preferthat these arms be, constructed of gas-pipe or other tubing, so that the cords will be confined as they pass through them, and there willbe no danger of the cords becoming displaced. I support these arms by means of girts or crosspieces m m, rigidly attached to both.

. I sometimes dispense with the stirrup-frame by connecting the lower ends of the cords D with short cross-cords (1 adjusted so as to give free action to the main .cords and at the same time prevent them from spreading sufficiently to be inconvenient for the operator.

Having thus fully-describedmy invention, what I claim as new,,and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

, 1. The combination, in an automatic elevator or-hoist fireescape,. of a frame for sup porting storage-spools, spools for storing the cords,cords for supporting the operator, a

cord for operating the brake-lever, a brake-lever pivoted to the back end of the frame and arranged to pass between the spools for operating the brakes and pawls, brakes and pawls to regulate and control the action of the spools, springs to operate the brake-lever and the pawls, springs to throw the spools toposition for winding and storing the cords upon the reels, and stirrups for-the support of the operator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination,in an automatic elevatoror hoist fire-escape, of storage-spools supported in a frame and arranged to turn upon a, central shaft, springs for operating the spools, a brake-lever pivoted to the frame, brakes and pawls attached to the fulcrum of the brake-lever in position to act upon the rims of thespools, ratchet-teeth on the rims of the spools for the receptionof the pawls,

springs for holding the brake-lever to position, springs for holding the pawls to place,

a body and shoulder upon the brake-lever, fulcrum for supporting the pawls and holding them to position, cordsupou the storage-reels for operating the elevator, a cord on the storage-reels for operating the brake-lever, stirrups at the end of the elevator-cords for supporting the operator, a stirrup-frame arranged to admit of the alternate raising of the elevator-cords, an arm for supporting the ele and pawls-to control the working of the elevator, a brake-lever for operating the brakes and pawls,sprin gs for holding the brake-lever in position, springs for holding the pawls to place, automatic brakes for governing the descent of the operator, cords for supporting the operator, stirrups, at the ends of the elevator-cords, a stirrup-frame arranged to allow of the alternate raising of the elevator-cords,

an adjustable armfor supporting the elevator, said arm pivoted to the hinge-bolt of the elevator and provided with points for. attaching it to a vertical or a horizontal support, and a girt for holding the sides of the arm parallel, substantially as and for the purpose setiforth.

4:. The combination, in an automatic elevator .or .hoist fire-escape, of storage-reels provided with rims for the reception of brakes, rims provided with ratchet-teeth for the action of pawls, chambers for the reception of springs, springs for operating the spools, a frame and central shaft for the support of the spools, pawls and brakes for governing the action of I spools, a lever and cord for operating the brakes andpawls, springs forholding the pawls and the brake-lever to place, cords and stirrups for supporting the operator, and

an adjustable support, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, inan. automatic elevator or hoistfire-escape, of storage-reels supported upon a central shaftin a frame, springs for operating the storage-reels, the rims of the storage-reels being prepared for the action of pawls and brakes, pawls v and .brakes for controlling the action of the storage-reels, a lever and cord for working the pawls and brakes, springs for holding the brake-lever to position and assisting the brakes in their action on the storage-reels, springs .for holding the dogs to place, cords for supporting the operator, stirrups at the ends of the cords, and a support for the elevator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, in an automatic elevator or hoist fire-escape, of storage-reels, springs for operating the storage-reels,;a frame and central shaft for the support of the storagereels and springs, asupport for the frame, pawls and brakes for controlling the .action of the reels, a leverand cord for operating the pawls and brakes, springs for. holding IIO the lever to place, springs for holding the pawls to place, cords and stirrups for supporting the operator, a stirrup-frame arranged to allow of the alternate raising of the elevator-cords, and a spreader to guide the cords into the spools, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, in an automatic elevator or hoist fire-escape, of storage-reels, av

8. The combination, in an automatic elevator or hoist fire-escape, of storage-reels, brakes and pawls for governing the action of the storage-reels, a frame and central shaft for supporting the storage-reels, cords for operating the elevator, a lever and cord for operating the pawls and brakes, springs for holding the pawl-lever in position, sheaves for the brake-lever cord to run over, and springs for winding the cords into the spools, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. An automatic elevator or hoist fire-escape having a frame and shaft for supporting storage-reels, reels to Wind and store elevator-cords upon, springs for Winding up the reels, pawls, brakes, brake-lever, and cords so arranged that the alternate raising of the feet of 'the operator will cause the cords to Wind alternately upon the'reels and enable the operator to ascend, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

HARRISON V. APPLEY. 

